They are putting together a website and needed photographs to use for their web presence. With their stylist, they came up with the concept for a shoot that included a vintage flair, high fashion look with fun, bold colors. They wanted to have a “Teen Vogue feel” to their shoot and have a young, fresh, fashionable, and modest vibe.

Clouds and rain were in the forecast on the day of shoot but we decided to make a go of it anyhow and hope and pray for the best! It only drizzled lightly throughout the shoot and then finally dumped at the end, just in time for us to complete what we needed to complete! We were very thankful, and of course, the overcast skies made for some gorgeous light! Nonetheless, props to these girls because they worked it out through the rain, the cold, the wind, and the wet sand . . . without one complaint! Great job, ladies!

A final image of the crew as we bolted for ‘dry land’ . . . thanks to our stylist, Robinson Ebony and our make-up artist, Shavon Thompson for rockin’ the shoot. Great job, ladies! It was so much fun to work on this shoot with you!

I wanted to show you all my new art gallery wall I finished recently. I’m really proud of it because it did not cost a lot of money and I love it!  I thought I’d also take you on a little tour of the rest of the art around my home. I’ve made an effort in the last couple of years to art-ify our home. I hope you’ll find something that inspires you to add some art to your place. There is just something about having artwork in the home stirs us.

Do you remember artwork in your home as a child? What do you remember? I remember one painting in particular in our family home. I remember drifting away in my thoughts to that place- a sandy shore and a little girl waiting with her mommy for her daddy to come in from the fishing boat. I remember vividly, this painting. The little girl held the hem of her dress and danced and sang as she awaited her father’s arrival. This piece enchanted me and I never once shared that with anyone until I became an adult. But off in my mind I would go, dreaming and playing in my mind.

If you’re a mom, it is important to remember that your kids might never tell you, but they go places in their heads. They do, especially if there is kindling for inspiration. And even if you don’t have kids, I think it’s important to create an engaging environment for yourself! To me, this is why you can’t wait until you ‘have money’ in order to own art. If it’s important to you, you’ve got to make it happen in some capacity for whatever budget you have now. For me, right now, that is not a whole lot. But take a look at what I was able to create for our small space in the city. . . and I’ll show you all my tricks to doing it on the cheap!

Here’s my brand new art gallery wall in our living room. I love the eclectic nature of art gallery walls. There aren’t any rules, just mix and match different kinds of frames and arrange in a slightly “imperfect” way.  Just wait til you read the grand total of what I spent on this project!

Do you love it!? Almost everything, frames and artwork, came from the Salvation Army. I’ve been collecting for about 6 months.

Here’s the scoop:

1- I’m a huge fan of Degas. I used to want to be a ballerina when I was a child. I’m enamored with his ballet works. I cut this one from an old record album cover found at the Salvation Army that I picked up for 99 cents. You wouldn’t believe how many great pieces of artwork you can find looking through old stacks of record albums! Four of my pieces are from 99 cent records! Who would have thought?

2- Gorgeous piece of fabric from a dress from S.A. The dress itself was too small but I loved the print and bought it anyway! Glad I figured out a way to use it! I love the pop of color it adds. Don’t forget that textiles can make fantastic art as well. (Use sparingly for best results, I think.)

3- “P” for our last name, printed myself. I love the modern vibe.

4- Vintage postcard of Waikiki Beach, where Bill and I went on a special trip. Thanks S.A.! Lucky find.

5- Van Gogh is one of my favorite artists. I ordered Starry Night new from an online art store because I had to have it. Small prints are inexpensive even if you have to purchase them new.

6- My FAVORITE find! Cut from an old record album cover again! Yay that S.A.! You can’t tell from far away, but it is actually a pointillist image. I love it! I just cut it to fit a matted frame I got half-off at Michaels. So cool.

7- I love this inexpensive print of Van Goghs’ from S.A. The frame was a cheap gold hue and it made the print look cheap as well. So I repainted it with a deeper gold and it came out much classier looking.

8- I designed this piece myself and had it enlarged. It’s an up-close image of our front door with our address number and a texture overlay added to it in Photoshop. I’m not sure how I came up with the idea, but I wanted something personal and loved how it turned out. That door knob has so much character! It’s over 100 years old.

9- Old record album again. Loved the color burst! Framed it without a matte to show off the whole piece. This has got to be another one of my favorite unexpected finds. *LOVE*

10- Who knows?! But I saw it at S.A. and decided I liked the quirkiness and drama of it! Very theatrical, which I think fits this city quite well actually.

11- Another Van Gogh found at S.A.

12- One seriously cool record album cover. . . story of Elijah being taken up to heaven in the fiery chariot with Elisha standing by. To me, this one was all about the simple statement of the two colors. Bonus that it’s a sweet drawing.

13- S.A. find. Little red bird in a forest of bare trees- reminds me to look for the small beauties that exist even in the stark Chicago winters.

And there you have it! So the grand total for my art gallery wall? You ready? . . . drumroll please . . .

$104.

Seriously.

And spread out over 6 months, it was a breeze! Art IS affordable! You just have to have a vision, shop right, and be patient.

Now, a little peek at some of the other art in my home . . . In our livingroom I also have a canvas gallery wrap on our mantle, a new addition I received in the mail last week. So happy to finally have a good family photo to display. It was time!

Photo by the uber-talented Blue Lily Photography, taken this past summer.

Dining room:

Target has these great art frames for $15. They are hinged on the right so you can open them like a medicine cabinet to replace artwork as your kids make new pieces and not have to take the frame off the wall. Genius! I’ve also purchased these frames along with pastels and art paper as birthday gifts. Mamas love this!

I’ve had these particular pieces up in our dining room since we made them as a family project a year and a half ago. I just love them so much, I haven’t wanted to change. I get artwork ideas from a really great blog simply called Art Project For Kids. I think it’s important for kids to feel like they are artists in their own right. If you have a kid, you too can have inexpensive art! If you don’t have a kid, have some fun and make some artwork yourself! Check out this blog for sure- it’s full of lots of great ideas. 

Bathroom:

I saw these prints on Etsy and they made me laugh. There’s a ton of different animals available with quirky little features and they are printed on old, recycled dictionary pages. I loved the idea so much, I had to find some prints to give away as a birthday gift to my best friend. The Etsy vendor is Collage-O-Rama. Check them out! You’ll be laughing too.

Since we only have one bathroom and the kids have always been bugging me for a kid-styled bathroom, I thought this was the perfect compromise. The kids and I have named all of our silly little bathroom animals and they make us smile every morning. I mean, who wouldn’t want to wake up to a bear holding a radio over his head “Say Anything” style with “Grrrr” written in as the radio channel. Love it! (And yes, the bear’s name is Lloyd, named after the John Cusack’s character in Say Anything)

And lastly, I don’t know that it really qualifies for art, but I had to share this little before and after of another Salvation Army find of mine this month. I saw this stool at S.A. for $5 and almost had a panic attack right then and there. These kinds of treasures only come along every once in a while and that was my day! I sanded it down and repainted it a beautiful raspberry.

I’d say it has a sculptural aspect to it even though it is clearly a functional piece. Great find, right!? $5? You betcha! (Don’t be surprised if you see it in an upcoming family or child shoot. It’s perfect!)

What about you? Do you have a piece of art in your home that inspires you? Leave a comment below and tell me about it. I’d love to hear about it.

]]> http://christinekay.com/http:/art-tour/feed 8 http://christinekay.com/http:/a-mystery-and-a-gift-christine-kay-chicago-newborn-photographer http://christinekay.com/http:/a-mystery-and-a-gift-christine-kay-chicago-newborn-photographer#comments Tue, 24 Jan 2012 19:32:32 +0000 christinekay http://christinekay.com/?p=452 It just blows my mind. You go for 24 years of your life without knowing someone and the second you meet them, it’s the most amazing feeling and you know you don’t want to ever be apart. 

These are the words of this little newborn’s dad as he held her in his arms during our photoshoot. She- the one whose birth made him a father for the very first time.

If you’re a parent you understand his sentiments. Becoming a parent changes you in the most profound ways. It truly is one of the most amazing seasons of life. And a mysterious one. This mystery naturally requires less and more. Less talking and more studying. Less explaining and more absorbing. Less of yourself, more of him or her.

That’s why I love doing newborn hospital sessions. The images are a way to tangibly remind yourself of those initial, overwhelming, unexplainable emotions- the ones you’ll want to linger on later, after the busyness of life and familiarity of routine naturally vie for your attention. When you first become a parent, you study every square inch of your child. And you should. Because as the old adage goes, they grow up too quickly. Having images of those precious, tiny little fingers, toes, noses, lips . . . truly priceless. To be able to do this for new parents? . . . I really do have the best job ever.

This couple goes to my church and I couldn’t have been happier to create these images for them. A mutual friend of this couple called me after they gave birth and requested a newborn shoot for them as a gift.  She explained how the parents had a very long and difficult birth story which was completely different than what they had hoped for. In the end, S and L are just happy to have a healthy baby girl in their arms and they are grateful. Still, this friend wanted to make sure they had some beautiful images done at the hospital to sort of ‘redeem’ their bad experience. I was honored to do this for them and am so glad for the friend’s call.

Meet Talitha, a mystery. And a gift.

In order to raise money for an upcoming trip to work with an orphanage in Uganda, Alisha is putting together an album of her original songs. We did some photos for her album cover. Her desire was to highlight the messages in her music, so many of the images we came up with have a deeper meaning behind them.

One of the songs on her album is called More Than Sparrows. In it, she tells about the great love of God. I can’t wait to hear it. . . . I’m quite sure I’ll close my eyes, take a slow breath, and soak deeply.

“Indeed, the very hairs on your head on all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.” Luke 12:7

Monica McQueen of Tres Chic Events styled the wedding beautifully. The color palette was inspired by the varied colors within a fig- both the light, airy pinks of the flesh of the fruit and the bluish-purples of the outside. Monica’s tablescape design was to die for. Including blackberries, plums, eggplant, and grapes into the floral designs added to the feel of ‘harvest’. It almost felt like a wedding at the family’s own vineyard. So classy. Soooo romantical. . .

Here are our fabulous vendors:

I loved this “heart-leaf” and the huge trees on the property. I knew immediately I needed to make the most of them.

I wanted to show another angle of the beautiful venue. . .

And now to the party! My second-shooter, Chris shot the cocktail hour while I did the family photos. Chris did a fantastic job capturing the party. The band for the evening, Easton Ashe, set the mood with a cool acoustic set . . .

There were lots of fun things for the guests to do- lawn games, custom wedding-themed Mad Libs, even a custom coloring book for the kids. Really, the thought that went into this was amazing. It made for a fun, memorable party completely unique to Scott and Lela.

Beautiful details . . . Loved the blackberry in the center of the rose. Hand-made wine charms as placecards were a huge hit with the guests.

After family photos, I photographed the reception details before the guests entered. The long table was my favorite part of the design. I’ll say it again- it felt like they were married at the family vineyard. Loved it. The details were full of crystal, mirrors, and sparkle that shone beautifully as the sun set. Garage by Ivy’s florals were divine.

The unique menu, penned on a beautifully scalloped mirror, and the sparkling mirrored candelabras were gorgeous touches.

Each guest was greeted by a nameplate mirror at their placesetting. . . wow. And the napkin rings, . . . . whew! So pretty.

The first dance was pretty much epic with the sun setting low in the background. Can I hear a collective *SIGH*?!?

After the first dance, we headed off to the vineyard for the most amazing, gorgeous sunset session . . . Scott and Lela’s adoring love really shown through. . .

One of my favorites of the day-

The warm sunlight and the beautiful vines made for some very romantic moments. . . In the words of Rachel Zoe, I die.

The dry eyes were few during the beautiful toasts . . .

Easton Ashe could not have done a better job keeping the party lively and fun. They are so so talented. LOVED them!

Sedona Cake Couture’s stunning creation, complete with real champagne grapes, berries, and unripened figs. Fantastic.

This was one wild and crazy party! I mean, really, who doesn’t love a few surprises?!?

I’ve never been to a wedding that ended like this! – A bonfire complete with smores and the most a-maz-ing  jam-session by the most ridiculously talented friends a bride and groom could possibly have. It made me wonder why all weddings don’t end like this. I was completely in love with it and didn’t want it to end. As a photographer, it’s times like these I just feel privileged to be a fly on the wall. Hearing the laughter, seeing the content, happy faces of the guests, and snapping away at all the beautiful, intimate moments the bonfire-ambiance provided was the perfect way to end my shooting day.

And we’ll end with the sweetest, sweetest moment. Lela wrapped her arms around her mom and nuzzled in. She lingered there for quite a while holding her mom close as if to say, “Everything’s just alright in the world, isn’t it Mama?”

A special thanks for Chris Maddox for second-shooting with me. You are amazing!

The “Save the Dates” and the Invitations were incredibly unique. Designed by Todd McQueen, they could not have been any more perfect. The invitations were actually letterpressed onto cherrywood. Stunning.

These adorable Arizona-themed welcome baskets awaited us at the hotel. Can you say “LOVE”?!?

Chris did a great job capturing the florals . . .

Lela was so adorable and beautiful. She was an absolute vision. Her sister and mom helped her get into her dress . . .

Lela found a special way to keep the memory of her dad close on her big day. She kept an image of her father in a family heirloom locket attached to her bouquet. Such a lovely way to remember her dad and keep him close to her heart on this important day. . .

The groom is known for his home brew so as a personal touch, he brewed up two special beers as party favors. I adored the custom labels designed by the fabulous Todd McQueen. They provided just the right amount of swagger, don’t you think? 

Scott and Lela, your love is so completely sweet. You two make me smile from ear to ear.

I loved the special pillows Monica included in the design for the front porch of the lodge. They were perfect.

My angle . . .

And Chris’ angle . . . (and a strong case for the value of a second shooter!!!)

The ceremony details were uber-romantic. Scott hand-made the beautiful wooden arbor that served as the backdrop for their ceremony. (I know! Multi-talented, isn’t he? Props to you, Scott!)

The hanging glass orbs, floating florals, champagne grapes, and Spanish moss completed this charming vision. I was crazy about how the glass sparkled when the sunlight hit them. So dreamyyyyyy.

I caught the boys reaching for one final “hands-in” right before lining up for their entrance. Seriously, how adorable are they?!

True confession: I totally had a crush on the ring-bearer.

A sweet moment between Lela and her brother as he gave her away. *SIGH*

Favorite moments from the exchange of vows . . .

Immediately after the ceremony, Lela had a little moment. Her sister was quick to hand her a handkerchief for the assist. These two images just make me happy. I can’t take my eyes off of the love in each of their faces.

That’s it for today. In the next post I will share the images of the amazing cocktail hour, sunset shots, and reception. Yourrrrrrr gonna want to check back real soon. The next post is a not-to-miss! Details, details, details!

To my bride and groom and their families, thank you so much for inviting me in and loving me like one of your own.

And many thanks to Sadie Such for being my second shooter and reading my mind throughout the day!

Venue and Catering by White Mountain Country Club

Event Planning by Tres Chic Events

Cake and Cupcakes by Cakes by Shellie of Pinetop, AZ

Flowers by Wendell Florist

Make-up by Mary Fennello of Palmina Leone 

Hair by Becky Gerblick

Rentals and Linens by Classic Party Rentals

Ceremony Live Guitar and Reception DJ by the unparalleled Rich Mancini of Mancini Entertainment

Weather forecasters predicted cold, wet conditions in the days leading to Ashley and Morris’ big day. Rain and 37 degrees. Ugh! Sunny and 55 the day of the wedding sounded much more promising, but with an outdoor wedding ceremony scheduled on the golf course, nothing was certain with the potential of lingering mud and muck. However, on the day of the rehearsal, instead of rain we experienced a downpour of hail and then SNOW! It was a beautiful winter wonderland that left everyone shaking their heads in disbelief and in awe of the extraordinary beauty. The weekend weather ended up being absolutely perfect- complete with sunny skies and dry ground for the big day. Whew!

Ashley and Morris and their guests couldn’t have asked for a more incredible wedding weekend. Being surrounded by 120 of their closest family and friends was the most important aspect to them and it didn’t take me long to figure out why! I was blown away by the amount of love and warmth the two families shared with me as they invited me in as an honorary family member for the weekend. I didn’t want to leave!

Wedding images will be coming up in the next blogpost but first I wanted to share the beautiful rehearsal dinner and snowy conditions at the club. Ashley and Morris, it truly was the perfect weekend.

And in case you were wondering, I looked it up. Snow on your wedding weekend is more than good luck- it’s a sign of fertility and prosperity. So, my dear Ashley and Morris, many blessings to you for a happy and full household.

Okay, so hear we go! Enjoy. . . our girl rocked the camera, wouldn’t you say???

Dress- Adrienne Vittadini, Heels- Jessica Simpson, Fishnet Tights- Forever 21

This is one of my favorites from the day. So very vogue of you, Miss Heather. . . Gorgeous!

Loved working the timing of the train into this image  . . .

Tank- Andrienne Vittadini, Capris- J.Crew, Heels- Jessica Simpson, Necklace and Ring- Topshop, Earrings- retro find

This is another of my favorites. Loved working with her reflection off of the black granite. Great little place in Uptown – this lounge built in 1907 was frequented by all kinds of famous people over the years, Charlie Chaplin to Al Capone. It helped launch the career of Billie Holliday . . . really cool history. I knew it would make a killer location. And it did.

I’ll tell you what, I’m ready for another fashion shoot! That was so much fun! Thanks to Heather and Carmen- we made a great team!

Behind the scenes secrets and photos will be coming up on a future blog post. Stay tuned!

Today we are going to start off with the ’40s and I’ll post the others soon! Enjoy!

Headband- Francescas, Top- Mojo S.Phine New York, Skirt- Topshop, Fishnet Tights- Forever 21, Heels- Topshop.
I LOVE this signage and had to incorporate it into our shoot . . . . P.S. Check out the heels! Mercy! Mercy!

Dress- BCBG, Pearls- vintage, Tights and Purse- Forever 21, Bag- Model’s own, Shoes- Dollhouse

Oh my goodness, she was really the perfect model for this shoot, wasn’t she? Here she is killin’ it . . .

Fierce, fierce, fierce . . .

Thanks to my model, “H” and to my make-up artist and assistant, Carmen. You two were absolutely incredible!  Part 2 coming soon! Can’t wait to show more  . . .